Cambridge

Cambridge's population expanded in the 10 years leading up to the latest census. Data from the census show there were changes in ethnicity and housing tenure.

The population passed 120,000

Between the last two censuses, the population of Cambridge increased by 14%, from just under 109,000 to 124,000.

The addition of about 15,000 people means this area's population increased faster than the rate of growth across England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Cambridge was home to, on average, 22 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was higher than the average across Eastof England

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across Eastof England, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

Changing household dynamics

This area saw Eastof England's second-largest fall in the proportion of single-person households.

Across the region, only Southend-on-Sea saw a greater fall in the proportion of single-person households (from 35% to 33%).

In 2011, just over one in three (34%) households in Cambridge had only a single person, compared with 36% in 2001. The percentage with an unmarried couple increased from 8.9% to 11%.

The percentage of households with only a single-person was higher than across Eastof England

Percentage of households that that comprised only a single person across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

Relationships in Cambridge

The proportion of married people fell in Cambridge, but at a slower rate than all other local authority areas in Eastof England, except Welwyn Hatfield.

Every local authority area across Eastof England saw a fall in the proportion of married people, as the regional average fell from 54% to 50%.

During this period, Cambridge fell below Norwich to become the Eastof England local authority area with the second-lowest percentage of married people.

In 2011, just over one in three (34%) people aged 16 and over in Cambridge said they were married, compared with 36% in 2001. The percentage that said they were single increased from 49% to 53%.

The proportion of married people was lower than across Eastof England

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that that said they were married across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

Ethnicity in Cambridge

The number of people in Cambridge from the White ethnic groups increased from about 97,000 in 2001 to just over 100,000 in 2011. However, as a percentage of the total population, this represented a decrease from 89% to 83%.

The percentage decreased by more than the average across Eastof England (from 95% to 90%) and the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in Cambridge from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from just over 6,400 in 2001 to about 14,000 in 2011 (from 5.9% to 11%). The number of residents from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed) increased from about 2,100 to just over 3,900 (from 2.0% to 3.2%).

About 2,100 people (1.3%) said they were from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups, up from just under 1,500 in 2001 (1.7%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the White ethnic groups in Cambridge decreased by 6.9 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Cambridge by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Cambridge that rented privately increased from 20% to 26% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just under one in four (24%) households lived in social housing, compared with 23% in 2001. The percentage of Cambridge households that owner their home decreased from 53% to 47%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased here at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 8.6% in 2001 to 15% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Cambridge increased by 5.8 percentage points

Percentage of households in Cambridge, Eastof England and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Cambridge residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 6.4% to 3.6% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just under 9 in 10 (87%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 74% in 2001. The percentage of Cambridge residents that described their health as fair decreased from 20% to 9.7%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 7.6% in 2001 to 4.7% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Cambridge decreased by 2.8 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Cambridge, Eastof England and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

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